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Wednesday, December 28

Add ‘TEE IT FORWARD’ to New Year’s Resolutions

FOLLOWING THE SUCCESSFUL PILOT LAUNCH of TEE IT FORWARD in July 2011, the PGA and USGA are encouraging golfers to continue to tee it forward and play from distances that match their playing skills in 2012.

More than 1,900 facilities registered in 2011 with an average of 123 golfers per facility (nearly 237,000 nationwide) hitting their golf balls from forward tees during the promotional period. In addition, a survey of more than 3,000 consumers who experienced the program showed that 70 percent found their round of golf more enjoyable. More than 90 percent said they would recommend TEE IT FORWARD to a friend. The survey also found nearly 50 percent of respondents saying the program helped them play faster.

“These golfers told us that they found golf more enjoyable by playing courses at shorter lengths than usual,” said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. “This initiative also generated incredible buzz through traditional and social media, as well as at golf facilities across the country.”

“We are encouraged by the results of our pilot,” said USGA President Jim Hyler, “and believe this new approach to the game is really beginning to catch on with golfers of all skill levels.”

TEE IT FORWARD was the brainchild of industry veteran Barney Adams, retired founder of Adams Golf. Adams was an ambassador for TEE IT FORWARD in 2011 and will continue in that role.

“I’ve been around the game for more than 30 years and continue to be amazed as golfers make it much harder than it should be by playing golf courses at distances that don’t come close to matching their abilities,” said Adams.

“By playing from forward tees, amateur golfers have the chance to play the course at the same relative distance as a touring professional would over 18 holes. We need golfers to be hitting 8-irons and wedges into par 4s like the pros, not fairway woods.”

Originally highlighted during a specific time period in 2011, TEE IT FORWARD will now be promoted as a year-round initiative. Courses can set up additional tees to provide golfers with more options or simply encourage golfers to use existing forward tees. The PGA and USGA will be developing educational and promotional materials to be distributed to golf facilities across the country.

TEE IT FORWARD has so many advantages but implementing it is definitely an uphill battle as most of golf's current "core customers" have not greeted it with enthusiasm... so I definitely give the PGA, USGA and any/all golf courses promoting TEE IT FORWARD.

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